Minor subjects in Bachelor's and Master's programmes

Wide range of minor subjects

The study of mathematics at the TU Darmstadt is characterized by a wide range of subsidiary subjects. Apart from the standard minor subjects such as physics, computer science or chemistry, you can choose your personal minor subject from (almost) all the courses offered at the TU after approval. On the following pages you will find the most frequently chosen minor subjects and the corresponding requirements and modalities.

Minor Psychology expires

The minor in psychology can no longer be chosen from the winter semester 2023/24 onwards.

Students who are already enrolled in the minor in psychology can finish it and, if necessary, continue it in the Master's programme.

If you have any questions about your minor in psychology, please contact the study coordinator .

  • In order to choose a minor subject please first consult OWO , these pages and/or the Student Advisory Service for information.
  • You choose your minor by accessing OWO or by a short consultation with the Office for Student Affairs. After this, you can attend and be examined in all mandatory courses in your minor even without an initial exam plan.
  • In order to apply for a special minor subject that has not yet been approved, please observe the special information.

Provided that there is an appropriate offer, you are eligible to apply to study any subject that is taught at Bachelor’s level at TU Darmstadt as a special minor.

Exceptions may apply to courses with restricted admissions or interdisciplinary courses which can also be accessed in the context of other minors.

If you are interested in a special minor, make enquiries with the Mathematics Examination Board.

In the past, for example, the following have occasionally been approved:

Civil engineering, geosciences, materials science, political science, sociology, biotechnology, German philology, history, organic chemistry, education, sports science, environmental engineering.

To take a minor on the Master’s course you have to have completed the same minor on the Bachelor’s course. You will be expected to have, but not usually be examined on, the relevant knowledge. No account will be taken of any gaps in your knowledge.

In some minors existing knowledge does have to be explicitly demonstrated. This may mean that you can only change your minor under certain conditions.

On the business mathematics course, the minors in economics and computer sciences as well as the non-mathematical specialisation in economics are mandatory. You are neither required to nor able to select yourself.

A minor chosen during your Bachelor’s course may, under certain circumstances, be continued as a non-mathematical specialisation on your Master’s course. Just like a mathematical specialisation it also allows you to write a Master’s thesis in the respective field.

The Dean of Studies or Chair of the Examination Board in the corresponding departments have to confirm that you are theoretically eligible to embark on a Master’s thesis in the field of your chosen non-mathematical specialisation (does not apply for Computer Science, Physics, Economics).

For admission to a non-mathematical specialisation you have to demonstrate or acquire knowledge in this minor equivalent to at least 20 CP.

The M.Sc. in Mathematics has the following options:

  • Choice of a minor from the list of Master’s minors if you have the requisite specialist knowledge.
  • Choice of a basic minor from the list of Bachelor’s minors In this case, elective modules can only be included if the mandatory part of the Bachelor’s minor has been completely done.

Please note that only very few minors can be studied in English. If your knowledge of German is adequate, you can make your choice from the list of minors.

If you decide you would like to change your minor in the course of the first semester you should go to the Office for Student Affairs during office hours. In any other case, or for advice, please turn to the Departmental Student Advisory Service . If you have already accrued examination credits which you cannot use for your degree once you have changed, it is only possible to change once.

Within your chosen minor the regulations on changing module are governed by the regulations applying to the course on offer. Unless explicitly stated to the contrary in the special regulations applying to a minor, modules you have begun in the minor must be completed.

Before you change a minor, you have the opportunity to try it out first by taking additional modules voluntarily. If you do then change the minor, these can be recognised subsequently once you have completed the change.

A change of minor has to be approved by the Examination Board . When changing your minor, you will automatically be transferred to the current (PO 2024) examination regulations.

Range boundaries

They are set by the examination regulations of the mathematical study programme and are valid until a study programme is revised. In the examination regulations of 2018 the following boundaries are set for the minor subjects:

Bachelor (PO 2018):

  • study programme mathematics: 26-31 CP
  • study programme business mathematics:
    • economics: 25-31 CP
    • computer science: 15-21 CP

Bachelor (PO 2024):

  • study programme mathematics: 24-29 CP
  • study programme business mathematics:
    • economics: 24-30 CP
    • computer science: 14-20 CP

Master (deutschsprachig, PO 2018):

  • study programme mathematics: 9-22 CP
  • study programme business mathematics:
    • minor subject business computer science: 7-19 CP
    • non-mathematical specialisation economics: 22-34 CP
  • study programme mathematics interdisciplinary:
    • minor subject: 7-19 CP
    • non-mathematical specialisation: 22-34 CP

Master (PO 2024):

  • study programme mathematics: 9-20 CP
  • study programme business mathematics:
    • minor subject business computer science: 7-17 CP
    • non-mathematical specialisation economics: 22-32 CP
  • study programme mathematics interdisciplinary:
    • minor subject: 7-17 CP
    • non-mathematical specialisation: 22-32 CP
  • study programme Mathematics in Data Science:
    • minor subject computer science: 20-25 CP

Master Mathematics (PO 2018): 9-22 CP

More information can be found in your study regulations .

Each minor subject is based on one or more accredited leading degree programmes with current examination regulations, from whose range of modules the minor subject primarily draws. Not all modules are automatically selectable, but the selectable modules are sufficient to study the minor in a meaningful way. The rules according to which modules can be selected are determined in consultation with the department offering the minor subject and can be found on the information page of the Department of Mathematics for the minor subject. They consist of

  • general rules (see below)
  • a list of the selectable modules for the Bachelor's and the Master's minor subject and, if applicable, the non-mathematical specialisation
  • a subject-specific part of the rules describing which rules may be used for selection if this does not result from the rules of the main degree programmes.

Module change

The same rules for changing modules apply as for the leading degree programme.

study examinations and validations in the minor subject

Unless otherwise stated, all modules are examined and assessed according to the conditions of the leading degree programme, receive the same number of credit points and are included in the grade in the same way.

If a degree programme is revised, the rules in the minor subject also change with the same transitional regulations as in the revised degree programme. The new rules then apply to all those who choose or change the minor subject after the change. This also applies to students who only choose their first minor subject course in a higher semester and had not previously specified a minor subject.

Minor basic

The term "minor basic" covers elective minor subjects in the Master's programme at Bachelor's level. Minor basics may not be able to be studied in English, but enable an uncomplicated change of minor subject to a Master's degree without any conditions.

Minor intermediate

A "minor intermediate" is defined as an optional minor subject at Master's level. As a rule, a minor intermediate can only be meaningfully studied if the corresponding minor subject was already taken at Bachelor's level. A change of minor subject to a Master's degree at intermediate level may result in conditions being imposed.

Minor subjects at Master's level can generally be studied in English from PO 2024 onwards.